Profile Evaluation Please
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19 Aug 2010, 14:47
This is an update to a previous evaluation, with some new stuff added in.
Here's my profile, looking to apply for Fall 2101, Round 1 admission, for schools listed below. Looking to do an MBA in consulting, and eventually end up in Europe (Preferably Italy or Spain).
Schools:
HEC Paris
IESE (#1 choice)
ESADE
INSEAD
Bocconi
Male - 26 upon matriculation - Italian American
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Major in Civil Engineering: 3.1 GPA, Dean's List first 3 semesters
Currently enrolled in Principles of Finance course at Baruch College - expected grade of A
GMAT - 760 (Q50, V42) AWA 6.0
Fluent in English & Italian
Proficiency in German
Basic Spanish (learned informally)
Work exp - 3+ years (ongoing) as a structural engineer/project manager at a 12 person consulting engineering/architecture firm outside NYC. Because of the size of the firm, I have been involved in various projects, from the entire structural design of high-end residential projects, to presenting analysis to the Chief Plan Examiner of the NYC Buildings Department
Also did a brief internship with Keyspan Energy in the Gas Construction department
EC/Extra notes:
- Part-time DJ for hire, doing small events including company holiday parties, engagement/weddings, etc.
- Part-time tutor of calculus, physics and Italian
- Volunteer soccer (football) referee and assistant coach for local youth soccer leagues/teams
- Player/captain of intramural soccer team during 4 years of college
- Player/captain of recreational soccer teams for the last 3 years (ongoing)
- Donator/Supporter of America Scores!, an after-school program that gathers kids in underprivileged neighborhoods to play soccer and write poetry
Other:
- Research assistant for an engineering professor performing post-doctorate study
- Studied abroad in Rome (John Cabot University) spring of Junior year
- Selected as one of 6 structural engineering students in Bedford Fellowship Traveling Studio - a week long, school sponsored trip to London & Paris to research various modern architecture/engineering projects as well as major international firms, culminating in a final presentation to professors and industry professionals
Some notes: My GPA was severely affected fall of Junior year (2.25) due to some personal family issues. Also, given the rigorous curriculum, I took 6 classes spring of my Senior year to graduate on time following my semester abroad, including taking the final senior capstone class simultaneously with one of its pre-requisites, as well as an additional graduate-level engineering course (7 total).
Furthermore, I will be using the optional essays on all of the applications to address my lower GPA. I feel that flat out discussing my low GPA and the reasons for it is a bit boring, so I've decided to tie the theme of "being a renaissance man" into the essay - both in the traditional sense (Engineer, soccer player, DJ, linguist, etc.) and the literal sense (acceptance into these programs would act as a sort of "rebirth").
Questions: 1. What are my chances at the schools I have listed above?
2. Will my low GPA be a severe weakness at these schools?
3. Does my unorthodox background (structural engineering) put me at a disadvantage at all?
4. Aspects of my profile to improve upon?
5. Thoughts on my idea for the optional essays??
Thanks in advance!